'It can be Done' and with your help 'It will be Done'

On Thursday 30th November we will be abseiling over 100ft down the main stand of Anfield Stadium, home to Liverpool football club in Aid of St. Andrews School on St. Andrews Day. We truly appreciate every single donation we receive with 100% going straight to Project Stedfast and hey you never know if we reach our target we might even do it in a hibs top!!!

The story

Rewind back to 2008 and the 125th Anniversary of The Boys’ Brigade in Scotland approaching we had started to look into the possible ways in which we might celebrate the event. It was decided that whilst ‘special’ events would run to mark the Anniversary, we at 5th Livingston, 51st Bonnyrigg and 1st Loanhead Companies wished to reach outward. In December of 2005 letters were sent to many Boys’ Brigade and Church officials throughout the BB World enquiring after possible situations where we could help. In January of 2006 we met with the Rev Elaine McKinnon in Glasgow, having just returned from several years mission work in the region of Kikuyu, Kenya. We were humbled by news of the efforts of the Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade Companies at Kerarapon Parish Church in their bid to establish a school.

It is now just over 13 years since our first visit to meet with the people of Oloolua Kenya. Our first venture into what was completely unknown territory took place in November 2006. the purpose of the visit quite simply to ensure that we were dealing with the right people for such a venture and to answer any doubts or concerns we had and finalise plans for the building of St Andrews School. The trip was a resounding success in every way possible.

Our Target at that was to raise £33,629.00 to facilitate the building of three classrooms with electrical distribution, toilet facility and water sanitation. A heady task by anyone’s standards. Our target to achieve this was October 2008 to coincide with Founders day during the 125 Anniversary of The Boys Brigade. We reached our target in March 2007, the first pupils taking to the School in January 2008. We then and made the decision to press on. Plans were drawn for the next three classes and also for the building of a Unit for Children with a Disability.

Fast Forward almost 17 Years the project has continued to grow. The targets have been achieved and more targets set on numerous occasions. To date the project has successfully facilitated the building of 9 Classrooms with electrical distribution, toilet facility and water sanitation, a disabled children's centre that allows up to 24 children to live in. The centre provides much needed help and support giving them access to not only education but physio and medical help. The project has also installed a bore whole which provides clean water to the School, Disabled Centre and the church, installed a kitchen which allows the children to be fed breakfast and lunch and along with the kitchen we helped start a shamba (Garden) where they can grow their own fruit in veg that can be used to feed the children and also sold to generate an income.

Next up we are going to take one last large group out to visit the school in October 2024. Due to Covid this trip has been postponed since February 2021. Whilst at the school it is hoped that we can help with some maintenance tasks, work in the classrooms with the children and teachers and make some memories of a lifetime. Between now and October we will be making every effort to fundraise as much as we can. So that we as a group can carry out various tasks within the school whilst we are there.

As always any donations are truly appreciated.